subs. (common).—1. See quot. 1811; and (2) in pl. = spectacles; GIGLAMPS (q.v.). For synonyms, see PEEPERS.
1811. GROSE and CLARKE, Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v. LAMP. The cove has a queer LAMP, the man has a blind or squinting eye.
1859. G. W. MATSELL, Vocabulum; or, The Rogue’s Lexicon, s.v.
1888. Sporting Life, 15 Dec. Why, bruise me ef ’e ain’t got his LAMPS shut.
1892. MILLIKEN, ’Arry Ballads, 49. I lifted my LAMPS and saw Billy.
TO SMELL OF THE LAMP, verb. phr. (colloquial).—To show signs of labour or study.
1615. BRETON, Characters upon Essaies [GROSART (1879), ii. q. 4. 1. 3, Ad Authorem).
| He that shall read thy characters (Nic: Breton) | |
| And weigh them well; must say they are well written. | |
| They TASTE THE LAMPE. |
1625. JONSON, The Staple of News, Prologue. A work not SMELLING OF THE LAMP to-night.
1647–80. ROCHESTER, Wks. (1793), p. 16. Though he be very correct, and has spared no pains to dress the Satires of Horace in good French, yet it SMELLS too much OF THE LAMP.
